I hope this is true

[Raebie]

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash4.htm

NAVY SHIPS AND MARITIME RESCUE TEAMS SENT TO REGION
Tue Aug 30 2005 21:33:11 ET

The Pentagon late Tuesday ordered five Navy ships and eight maritime rescue teams to the Gulf Coast to bolster relief operations as worsening conditions overwhelmed the initial response.

The NEW YORK TIMES plans to report later tonight: One Navy amphibious assault ship, the Bataan, with six Sea Stallion and Sea Hawk helicopters that could be used for search and rescue missions.

The ships will carry food, fuel, medical and construction supplies, as well as hovercraft that can be used for evacuation and search-and-rescue missions.

The Navy was also considering sending the hospital ship Comfort.

Developing...

[artist]

I had heard there were 4 going in this morning from Va. One was an aircraft carrier that would hold manyif needed.

[Aquawind]

So do I..Even though our boarders are getting thin..Hopefully nobody decides to invade our military personel and gear is spread all over..ha ha Compromises are being made..no doubt.

Paul

[JenBayles]

I'm glad they're on the way. Just remember, not only does it take time to mobilize such an operation, but those ships aren't exactly speed boats. It's going to take a few days to reach them.

[FernandinaBchFL]

I heard this morning that the JFK at Mayport Jax is on standby why isn't this group deployed first since they are the closer than VA

[clfenwi]

Bataan is already in the GOM (it was down there for training).

The other ships going down there from Norfolk are much better suited for the task at hand than the Kennedy. (Note that none of the ships are aircraft carriers, but two are amphibious assault ships).

Story from the Norfolk paper:

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/st ... ran=103285

[temujin]

The Bataan is unloading Marines in south Mississippi, and launching rescue helicopters into Southeast Louisiana. It carries a complete Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2,000 men:

http://www.bataan.navy.mil/

[kevin]

Good that is all we need. 2,000 marines should have been ready to go in as soon as the winds slowed down. At least they will be able to assume control of the area.